50 Million Dangerous Window Blinds Recalled

Dec 15, 2009 | Parker Waichman LLP

Every Roman shade and roll-up window blind on the market - about 50 million total - is being recalled today because of the strangulation risk they pose to children. These types of window blinds have been implicated in the deaths of eight children.

According to statement issued by the Consumer Products Safety Commission (CPSC) and the Window Covering Safety Council (WCSC), anyone that has Roman or roll-up shades in their homes should contact the WCSC immediately at www.windowcoverings.org or by calling (800) 506-4636 anytime to receive a free repair kit.

In addition to the recall announced by the CPSC and WCSC, several retailers - including Walmart, Pottery Barn, and JCPenney, among others - have today issued their own recalls of window shades. Full details on all of these recalls can be found at the CPSC Web site.

According to the CPSC, five children were strangled to death in the cords included with Roman shades since 2006. Roll-up shades aren't much safer, and have been involved in three child deaths since 2001.

To help prevent child strangulation in window coverings, the CPSC and the WCSC are also urging parents and caregivers to follow these guidelines:

Examine all shades and blinds in the home. Make sure there are no accessible cords on the front, side, or back of the product. CPSC and the WCSC recommend the use of cordless window coverings in all homes where children live or visit.

Do not place cribs, beds, and furniture close to the windows because children can climb on them and gain access to the cords.

Make loose cords inaccessible.

If the window shade has looped bead chains or nylon cords, install tension devices to keep the cord taut.

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